The devastated mum of an East Lothian man has spoke of her anguish as he passed away before they could use the fundraising money for a transplant.
John McCallum, 36, has sadly passed away from bowel cancer after battling it for so long, the Daily Record also reports.
His mum Elaine, from Paisley, had appealed to the media to help back in April 2021.
The original plan was to send dad-of-two John, off to Germany for a new pioneering liver transplant, that cost more than a whopping £200,000.
People across Scotland had helped raise an incredible £126,000 so far, but John was unable to survive his condition any longer.
John passed away at home, surrounded by his mum, and loving wife Lorna, by his side.
Elaine, a former math teacher, said: "I would like to thank all those Paisley Buddies who helped the fund to send John to Germany for his live liver transplant.
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“John fought this horrible disease, trying anything which would reduce the growth of the cancer and allow him to live.
“His cancer was mutating and each scan gave him results that the tumours were growing.
“He battled on determined to beat this invasion.
“His last scan a few weeks ago showed that the cancer was now in his lungs and his liver could take no more. The cancer had won this battle and the war.”
John passed peacefully on November 6, and his mum has urged others to battle against this disease to help others suffering, adding: "Please help fight this disease so that other families do not have to suffer in the way that John’s family has.
“Thank you again for your support and donations which will now help others fight this disease.”
Elaine taught at Sacred Heart High, was schooled herself at Camphill High and lived in Foxbar.
Though John didn’t live in the town, his entire family were loyal St Mirren fans.
John’s grandfather William Orr, who died in 2014 aged 96, was a lifelong St Mirren supporter who had his own seat in the stadium.
It was on Father’s Day last year that John was taken to hospital with suspected appendicitis.
But surgery found a cancerous tumour had perforated his colon.
It had spread to his liver and John said: “I remember I kept thinking they must have made a mistake.
“You don’t realise until it happens to you.
“I try to look on the bright side and just keep going forward.”
His wife Lorna said the family could not be prouder of him and his “determination and courage over the last 17 months.”
She said: “He couldn’t have fought any harder. John was incredibly well-loved by many and we miss him immensely. He lives on through his beloved daughters, Emma and Ivy.”
